Tag Archives: Improvisation

‘Waltz Time’ Licks: Mandolin Lesson

In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at some ‘Waltz Time’ Licks using the blues scale, major blues scale and arpeggios. Waltz time is the 3/4 time signature & all of these examples are in the key of A, but are movable in both open & closed positions. Other techniques we’ll be focusing on are down stroke picking, double stops & tremolo. Go to lesson...

Blues Licks: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at some Blues Licks using the blues scale, major blues scale and arpeggios for the chords in the 12 bar blues, played in G. Other techniques we’ll be focusing on are down stroke picking, double stops & tremolo. The licks & concepts in this lesson will be suited to the advancing intermediate picker, wanting to develop their improvising skills. Go to lesson...

Fill Licks #2: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this Fill Licks #2: Mandolin Lesson we’ll take a look at 6 movable licks that are built with the hybrid mixolydian blues scale. Make sure you’ve checked out the first Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson as we are using the same scales, arpeggio patterns & theory when playing these new licks. Go to lesson...

Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this Fill Licks: Mandolin Lesson we’ll take a look at 4 movable licks that are built with the hybrid mixolydian blues scale. These licks work great when played between vocal phrases in a song, but can also be used in general improvisation. The licks are all positioned conveniently around their equivalent chop chord. Go to lesson...

Hot Major Blues Licks: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at nine hot licks that are built with the major blues scale. We’re in the key of G for this lesson, with licks over the G, C & D chords in both the open position and up the neck. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory (major blues scale in open & movable patterns, plus the major arpeggio found inside the scale)  to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own! Go to lesson...

Improv Up The Neck (w/ Worried Man Blues): Guitar Lesson

G’day! In this Improv Up The Neck: Guitar Lesson, we’ll take a look at improvising up the neck for the advanced picker. We’ll learn 3 major chord arpeggio shapes in the key of A, the major & minor blues scales, identify chord tones & passing tones, including the b3, b5 & b7, plus learn some example licks that are featured in the up the neck break for “Worried Man Blues”. Go to lesson...

Blues in D: Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a Blues in D using the blues scale and arpeggios for the chords in the 12 bar blues, played in D, plus we’ll also learn a number of licks to suit these chords. As part of this introductory blues lesson we’ll look at two versions of the D Blues Scale and the arpeggios for the three chords D7, G7 & A7. Go to lesson...

Blues Scale: Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at the blues scale and arpeggios for the chords in the 12 bar blues, played in G, plus we’ll also learn a number of licks to suit these chords. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own! Go to lesson...

Hot Pentatonic Licks: Mandolin Lesson

G’day! In this mandolin lesson we’ll take a look at several bluesy Hot Pentatonic Licks! The licks are built using the minor pentatonic scale, blues scale and the minor pentatonic scale with the added major 3. As part of this lesson we’ll dive into a little theory to help you understand how to use these licks and also start to build your own! Go to lesson...